Clinical Research Trials

Innovation is in our DNA.

Breakthrough care does not happen by chance. It happens when clinical experience is paired with rigorous research and a commitment to asking what can be done better.

Semmes Murphey Foundation supports clinical research that improves outcomes for patients with brain and spine conditions. Working in close partnership with Semmes Murphey physicians, hospital systems, and industry collaborators, the Foundation:

  • Facilitates clinical trials across neurosurgery, neuro-intervention, neurology, and neuropsychology

  • Maintains quality outcomes registries that contribute to national and international quality benchmarks

  • Supports investigator-led research that informs evidence-based care

These efforts not only benefit patients treated at Semmes Murphey, but also contribute knowledge that helps shape standards of care across the country and around the world.

We’re unique in our independence from any hospital or academic institution. This approach lets Semmes Murphey physicians retain autonomy and stay focused on what is best for patients.

The Foundation’s diverse and growing portfolio spans all practice areas at Semmes Murphey, bringing innovative treatments to patients with degenerative spine conditions, neurologic diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer’s, and cerebrovascular disorders including stroke and aneurysm.

Since its inception, SMF has managed more than 128 clinical trials, attracted over $20 million in research funding, and enrolled hundreds of patients in innovative treatment protocols.

Research Trials

ADAPT| Principal Investigator: Dr. Jucas Elijovich

ALZ-NET | Principal Investigator: Dr. Caitlin Brockenshire

ARTISSE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Violiza Inoa

ASPIRE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Neha Kumar

ATHENA STROKE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Lucas Elijovich

CBF-PERFUSION| Principal Investigator: Dr. Nitin Goyal

CERIBELL-STROKE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Lucas Elijovich

CLOSABLE-MMA| Principal Investigator: Dr. Nitin Goyal

CONTOUR| Principal Investigator: Dr. Nitin Goyal

CorEvitas - MGR-720| Principal Investigator: Dr. Tulio Bertorini

DiscGenics DGX-A02/A03| Principal Investigator: Dr. Michael LaBagnara

DISTALS| Principal Investigator: Dr. Lucas Elijovich

GUARD| Principal Investigator: Dr. Dan Hoit

Immunovant-1402| Principal Investigator: Dr. Tulio Bertorini

INSPIRE VANTAGE-PAS| Principal Investigator: Dr. Violiza Inoa

INTERCEPT | Principal Investigator: Dr. Nitin Goyal

PICASSO| Principal Investigator: Dr. Lucas Elijovich

REV-BIO| Principal Investigator: Dr. Madison Michael

SEA-NOBI-ALS| Principal Investigator: Dr. Tulio Bertorini

STRICT-ICAS| Principal Investigators: Dr. Nitin Goyal and Violiza Inoa

TESTED| Principal Investigator: Dr. Violiza Inoa

TLIF INFUSE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Sonia Eden

MIGRAINE| Principal Investigator: Dr. Violiza Inoa

MIS-CADS| Principal Investigator: Dr. Paul Park

NMD Pharma| Principal Investigator: Dr. Tulio Bertorini

WEB-PAS| Principal Investigator: Dr. Daniel Hoit

Ask about our research studies

Patient Registries/Quality Outcomes

Spine Surgery Quality Outcomes Registry | Principal Investigator: Dr. Kevin Foley

Since 2012, more than 11,000 Semmes Murphey patients have been enrolled in the spine surgery registry, a long-term project to gain insights about surgical care and patient well-being. From following these patients, we know that Semmes Murphey patients consistently show better than average improvement in physical ability and quality of life at three-month, one-year, and subsequent follow-up intervals.

Neurovascular Quality Initiatives-Quality Outcomes Database | Principal Investigator: Dr. Nitin Goyal

NVQI-QOD has accumulated over 20,000 neurointerventional and cerebrovascular surgical procedures with registry participants including many of the top medical centers in North America. Semmes Murphey joined NVQI-QOD in 2025.

Participation in the NVQI-QOD enables physicians, surgeons, and hospitals to assess their incidence of technical efficacy, clinical outcomes, safety and complications, length of stay, and other critical metrics in comparison with national benchmarks for quality assurance and improvement.